Radiator enclosure



Nov. 8, 1949 H. J. WEBER ETAL RADIATOR ENCLOSURE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 17, 1946 ATTORNEYS HENRY J.WEBER DONALD F.8ENNETT Nov. 8, 1949 Filed April 17, 1946 H. J. WEBER EFAL RADIATOR ENCLOSURE 4 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTORS HENRY J.WEBER DONALD F.BENNETT M WYW ATT RNEYS Nov. 8, 1949 H. J. WEBER ETAL RADIATOR ENCLOSURE Filed April 17, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS HENRYJ.WEBER DONALD F. BENNETT ATTORNEYS Nov. 8, 1949 H. J. WEBER ETAL 2,487,287

RADIATOR ENCLOSURE Filed April 1' 7, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 HENRY,J.WEBER DONALD F. BENNETT A M, I 1 ATTO NEYS Patented Nov. 8, i949 2 4 1 2 7 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RADIATOR ENCLOSURE Henry J. .Weber, Franklinville, and Donald F.

Bennett, Haddonfleld, N. 1., asslgnors to Warren Webster & Company, Camden, N. 1., a corporation of New Jersey Application April 17, 1946, Serial No. 662,785

This invention relates to radiator structures and more particularly to enclosure arrangements for fluid heating medium ccnduits or conduits which may be used alternatively for heating, 'air conditioning or cooling purposes in livingquarters and other buildings. I

The invention in its preferred form is particularly adapted to provide enclosing means for radiator conduits arranged as disclosed. for example, in the copending application of Donald F. Bennett and Charles G. Binder, Ser. No. 633,- 132, filed December 6, 1945, now abandoned, reference to which is hereby made. As there shown. provision ismade forheating rooms by the use of a conduit bearing" a multitude of radiating fins and extending continuously around the house along the region of the baseboards at the outer walls of successive rooms, to provide a continuous circuit through which hot water, for example; may be pumped. The lengths oi finned conduit in each room may be accompanied by a parallel length of non-finned conduit to act as a bypass to carry the heating fluid through any room in which a lower degree of heating is required at times. That is, when only a slight amount of heating is required in any particular room, the finned tubing therethrough may be shut 011 while the non-finned bypass continues tomaintain a path for the heating medium through that room.

-With heating systems heretofore proposed in 1 Claim. (CL 257-133) which a finned tube is provided extending along the baseboard, the enclosures therefor, so far as is known, have been such as to give the distinct appearance of an elongated radiator or radiator housing extending the full length of the baseboard. With such structures it is diflicult to so decorate the room and arrange the furniture therein as to give the room a desirable appeararice. For example; when-the iurniture'is placed at otherwise convenient locations,it will still give the appearance of being placed in front of and in a position obstructing an elongated radiator'. On the other hand, with the present invention an enclosure is provided for the radiat -ing tubing in such a form that it will give the appearance of simply comprising a baseboard having a conventional beaded molding extending along the top edge, so that the room will give the appearance oi having no radiators at all. go

nection with the accompanying drawings illusthe invention. The invention consists in such novel features and combinations as may be shown and described in connection with the examples of the invention herein disclosed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a typical corner of a room with a baseboard radiator enclosure constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken alon line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a similar vertical sectional view but showing a somewhat modified form of construct on;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially along line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of atypical corner portion'of a room at the region of the baseboard and showing the radiator conduits and certain supporting bracket structure with the baseboard panels removed;

Figs. 6' and 7 are elevational views of a bracket structure for supporting the finned tubing within the casing;

Fig. 8 is a horizontal sectional view showing a. typical arrangement oi'the casing structure and brackets therefor, as applied to the wall of an irregular shape; v

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but showing an alternative form of construction;

. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a bracket structure for supporting the casing;

Figs. 11 and 12 are plan and elevational views respectively of the bracket of Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view taken along line l3!3 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a face view of an end portion of the casing structure;

Fig. 15 is a sectional view taken substantiall along line I5-i5 of Fig. 14; and

Figs. .16and 17 are views similar to Fig. 2 but showing further alternative forms of the construction.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 5, the finned tubing for conducting the heating fluid along the baseboard 'is indicated at 10. As disclosed in the above mentioned Bennett et a1. application, this tubing may be accompanied by a non-finned bypass conduit as at H. The manner in which these conduits may be interconnected and pro- 7 videdwith suitable valves forms no part of the present invention but is disclosed in said prio application. I a i As shown in Fig. 2, in constructing the wall oi trating, by way of example, preferred forms oi u the house at the baseboard region, the usual "ground board" may be installed as indicated at l2. Above this the usual laths and plaster are indicated at l3, l4 respectively. At the top edge of the ground board a base rail I! may be secured in a position to support what will be referred to as a lip molding strip 13. If desired, at the bottom of the ground board at the floor line, a molding strip I! of conventional shape may be secured in place.

The finned tubing I may be supported in position at spaced points by brackets as at [8 (see Figs. 6, 7) formed, for example, of sheet metal and having an arcuate portion as at l9 against which the fins bear. The bracket may have a leg portion l8 welded or otherwise secured thereto.

For supporting the casing structure, bracket means as at B may be provided at other spaced points along the baseboard region. As indicated in Fig. 2, the lower part of each of these brackets may extend generally horizontally back to the ground board to contact therewith as at 20, the metal being then bent back upon itself as at 2| outwardly, and then vertically downwardly to form an integral leg portion 22 secured as by screws 23 to the molding strip II. From the generally horizontal portion beneath the finned tube, the bracket may extend outwardly, preferably slightly upwardly, and then be bent in a smoothly curved downwardly directed formation as at 24, and then continue up as a vertical strip 25 running to a point indicated at 26 approximately at the level of what wouldnormally be the upper edge of the face of the baseboard. The portion 25 may be secured intermediate its length to the ground board as by a rectangular member 21 (see Figs. 2, 10-13) formed of sheet metal secured as by welding to the portion 25 and secured to the ground board as by screws 28. The members 21 as indicated in Fig. 2 may also serve as supporting means for the bypass tube H. Cer- As shown in Fig. 4, the integral downwardly extending portion 33 at the top of each panel may, at its lower edge, be integrally formed with narrow, rearwardly extending spaced strip portions as at 36, between which air exit apertures as at 31 are provided. At their ends, the narrow strips 36 may be integrally formed with an upstanding strip portion 38 which in turn supports and is integrally formed with a second upper beaded 'edge 39. That is, the beaded edge 39, as will be noted, is positioned to the rear of and at a somewhat higher elevation than the above-mentioned beaded edge 32. Yet the beaded edge 39 being at an intermediate position between the lip molding it and the beaded edge 32 permits of gaps along each side thereof for the escape of heated air from the enclosure. At the same time, as will be apparent from Fig. l, the lip molding I9,

' in conjunction with the beaded edges 32 and 39,

will. give an appearance substantially fully the equivalent of a decorative baseboard molding. The fact that there are exit gaps for the heated air along each side of the beaded edge 39 will not be apparent except on close inspection, particularly since the supporting means for the beaded edge 39 is entirely to the rear of and substantially concealed by the upper edges of the baseboard plates or panels.

, If desired, the ends of the face plates or panels may be covered by vertically extending strips as at 40, 4|, 42 (Fig. 1). The form of strip indicated at 40 is adapted for covering the endwise abutting ends of two panels. As shown in Fig. 2, its

. upper end if desired may be curved over as at 43 tain further details of construction of the brackets B will be further explained hereinafter in connection with Figs. 10-13.

As further shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the front of the structure may be covered by face plates or panels as at 3|], 3| which are shaped to simulate rearwardly and downwardly as at 32so as to form a smoothly rounded beaded edge along the top of the panel. From this beaded edge, the metal may extend vertically downwardly a substantial distance as at 33, thereby forming the upper edge of the panel with a hook-like channel enabling the panels to be hooked onto the upper ends 26 of the panel supporting brackets. The lower edges of the panels may be bent inwardly as at 34 to provide a smoothly curved downwardly directed beaded edge terminating as at 35 in a portion which is directed upwardly slightly.

The panels may be quickly applied to or removed from the brackets B in the following way, that is, in applying a panel, its upper edge may first be hooked on to the tops of the brackets with the panel in a position such as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 2. Then the lower edge of the panel may be pushed into contact with the lower rounded portions 24 on the brackets, and finally the lower beaded edge of the panel will snap over the bracket portions 24, thereby causing the panels to be securely retained in vertical position. To remove a panel its lower edge may be readily pulled outwardly, free of bracket portions 24, and then the panel may be unhooked from the top of the brackets.

to extend up over the beaded edge 39 as indicated at 44. The strip 40 may be secured in place as by sheet metal type screws 45 passing through the ends of the panels. The lower end of the strip 40 may be curved inwardly as at 43 to terminate inconspicuously.

Where two of the panels meet at the corner of a room, the line of juncture may be covered by a strip of the type shown at 4| (Fig. 1) which, as will be apparent, is similar to the strip 40 except having a right angular cross-section. Where one of the panels terminates as at a door casing-or other opening through the wall, the end edge of the panel may be covered by the type of strip indicated at 42. This may also be similar to strip 40 except that it is provided with an end closure portion 41.

Since the beaded edge portion 39 of each panel section is connected to the main part of the panel only by way of the narrow strips as at 36, portion 39 may, if desired, be readily deflected somewhat both in vertical and horizontal directions so as to bring it into proper position intermediate the lip molding l6 and the beaded edge 32 for giving the most desirable and realistic appearance of a conventional baseboard molding. For example, as shown in Fig. 3, the beaded edge 39 is bent outwardly somewhatvas compared with its position in Fig. 2. Its position may depend upon the shape and size of the, lip molding which happens to be used, or the manner in which such molding is secured to the wall, which may vary depending upon whether the wall is plastered or formed of plaster board or other material. If the lip molding protrudes sufilciently, the beaded edge 39 may sometimes be omitted.

While the structure has been described more particularly with reference to its use in connection with the finned tubing type of radiation, it will be understood that various othertypes of heating fluid conduits might be enclosed in the i-mz'sar' structure. Also, as indicatedin Fig.- 3,--if desired,'-

an -additional conduit as -at ll imay-gbe provided beneath the finned tube l0. The con'duit as shown may be formed with a narrow longitudinal slot or a series of perforatlonsat 52 so. that'a supply ofair'm'ade available for examplefor air a conditioning purposes, may, be furnished through this conduit and allowed to blowup against the v finned tubing, thereby also, increasing the amount of radiation therefrom and aiding in expelling the heated air up through the gaps. along the top edge of the enclosure. If desired, for example,

in the summer time when the supply of heating fluid is shut oilifromthe finned tubing, the conduit 5| or an equivalent, may be usedto supply coolingairto the room. Alternatively, ifdesired,

tubing such as 5| may be used for'furnishingits extensions may be hol'es'as at 60a for receiving screws such as at" board.

supplies of heated aireither with or without the supply of supplemental heat by the use of finned tubing. r

The narrow elongated slots .between..the lip molding and the beaded edges ,39 and- 32 are such that the air which passes therethrou'gh will be distributed uniformly along the wall surfaces of the room with the result that localized streams of up-rushing air such as occur from the usual types of radiators will be avoided. As a consequence, it has been found that the distribution of the heated air throughout the room will be remarkably uniform and the difference between the temperatures at the floor and ceiling will be much less than with the types of radiators heretofore in common use. As a result of the uniformity of heat distribution and the absence of localized drafts of air in the room, the room will be comfortably heated by the use of substantially less fuel than has heretofore been necessary with the common types of radiators. Furthermore, the position of the lip molding along the wall is such that the air passing out of the gap adjacent thereto will be deflected somewhat away; from the where it terminates in the corner of the room.

Also the same general type of bracket may be adapted for use in the corner of a room such as shown in Figure 1 where the casing does not terminate but continues at right angles. The bracket B in Figures 10-13 is shown as adapted for the latter position and for this purpose, it may have a supplemental strip as at 53 welded to one outside surface of the rectangular frame portion 21. This strip has an upstanding portion 54, the upper edge 55 of which is adapted to have a face panel as at 3| hooked thereon. The portion 53 may be formed with an extension as at 56, 51 adapted to extend into and around the corner of the room and thus serve to space the main portion of the bracket far enough away from the corner to provide the necessary space for the two panel portions to come together at right angles. The extension portion 56, 51 may be formed with suitable screw holes as at 58 for attaching the bracket to the ground boards in the corner. As indicated in Figure 10, a part of the upper edge of the upstanding portion- 54 may be cut away as indicated at 59to afford clearance for the upper end of the juncture covering strip 4|.

It will be understood that portion 53 including for retaining v the bracket against. the ground.

1 The front of the-bracket may "beeperf :tured as at 80b to afford-access the latter f screws.

It the face plates or panels are'so formed that Q,

their lower inturned edges. are relatively-rigid as will usually'be the ca'SeQthen it is desirable to' provide a more or lesslresilient means onjthe brackets B for'facilitating the snapping-of-such panels on-andoif, and to yieldably retain same] when positioned against displacement, r'attlingfor vibration. For this purpose as shown in Figs-. 10-13 a curved spring lug as at 6| is struck out-j" I slightly from the curved formation 24 at the lower end of the vertical strip portion 25 of the bracket.

As is indicated in Figure 11, slots as 'at 82 extendback at either side of this lug to a considerable distance from .its outer end so that the lug is panels may be snapped into position or out of position, the lug normally applying sufilcient downward pressure at the lower beaded edge of the panel to retain it firmly in position against vibration or snapping out of place inadvertently.

Figure 8 shows the manner in which the brackets B may be spaced along the baseboard region in positions which will not interfere with the brackets Is for the finned tubing. This figure also shows the position of strips as at 40, 4| and 42 for covering the ends of the face plates. In cases where a 90 degree outwardly protruding corn eroccurs same may be covered by a strip as at Ila similar to strip 4| except having its finished side appropriately shaped to cover a comer of 270 degrees instead of 90 degrees. In places where the casing in following the contour of the wall of the room has to turn through angles, for instance, 45 degrees in one direction or the other as indicated at 10, H in Figure 8, then the adjacent ends of the face panels may be covered by strips as at 4|b, lllc which are the be desirable to install one of the brackets B, and I in that event one end of the face plate may be covered by a strip such as shown at 4011 secured to the bracket 3 as by a sheet metal type screw 12. In cases such as this, there maybe welded to the back of the strip 40a a small strip as at 13 having legs as at 13' abutting the outer surface of the rectangular frame portion '21 to act as spacer means so that the screw will hold the strip 40a in a plane parallel to the plane of the omitted from such of the vbrackets as are not positioned at inside corners. 1 I Also aportion such;.asat-I3 might be welded yon either, onev of the, ends of the rectangular; portion '27, depending upon which wall it is desired to place the bracket at the corner of aroom;

f If the casing is to terminatewithin a corner of, r a room instead of continuing at right angles"; around a cornenthen the portion 53 maybe omitted and the endsurface of the portiong2'lf may be screwed to the end wall of the room, screw". holes 'as atlll being provided for this purpose. the portion 21 may also be formed withscrew face plate even though the strip 400 has only one of its sides resting against the face plate. This particular structure may also be used whenever it is found necessary or desirable to place one of the brackets B in a position in back of the adjacent ends of two face plates.

As further shown in Figure 15, the upper and lower ends 14 and 15 of the strip a may be curved around to a sufllcient extent so that strip a may be snapped into position on the beaded edges 24 and 39 of the face plate and thus hold the strip 40a in place although usually it will also be desirable to use a screw as at 12. It will be understood that covering strips as at 40, if desired, may also be formed with their upper and lower ends curved around sufllciently to enable these strips to be snapped on and resiliently held in place.

The form of construction shown in Figure 9 may be the same or similar to those above described except that here a hollow metal type of lip molding member is shown at 80 having inturned upper and lower edges as at 8|, 82 adapted to be snapped into place upon spring-retaining clamps as at 83 located at spaced points along the wall and retained as by screws 84. This is a desirable construction, for example, in cases where the wall is tiled.

Additional embodiments of the structure for simulating baseboard moldings or other forms are shown in Figures 16 and 17. In Figure 16, the upper edge of a face panel 30' is shaped to provide two beaded edges as at 32, 39' similar to those indicated at 32 and 39 in Figure 2. In addition, a supplemental beaded edge 85 is provided at a position intermediate the lip moldings l6 and the beaded edge 39'. The beaded edge 85 may be carried on an additional piece 86 connected as by integral narrow spaced apart strips as at 36' to a portion 81 which in turn may be welded to the supporting portion for the beaded edge 39'. As indicated by the arrows in Figure 17, with this structure three longitudinally extending slots are provided for the escape of heated air. This form of construction is particularly desirable in cases where the construction of the room or its decorations are such that it is desirable to provide a baseboard of relatively massive appearance and with a, series of beaded edges at its molding.

The modification shown in Figure 17 is similar to that of Figure 16 except that here three beaded edges 90, 9|, 92 are provided which are all integrally formed Here the cross-sectional shape of the portion 94 which supports the beaded edge 92 is curved in a manner such that upon looking down toward the baseboard, the direct line of vision is obstructed so that the cavity and conduits therein in back of the baseboard will not be apparent. At the same time as indicated by the arrows in Figure 17, the direction of travel of the air riswith the face panel 93.

8 ing at each side of the beaded edge I! will be outwardly of the wall, as is desirable to avoid accumulations of dust on the wall.

While the invention has been described in detail with respect to particular preferred examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art after understanding the invention that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and it is intended therefore in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

A baseboard structure for concealing a conduit for heat exchange fluid extending along the region of the baseboard of a room, comprising a series of elongated panels each shaped to simulate a section of the face portion of a baseboard, the upper edges of said panels being bent over rearwardly to form a beaded edge along the top substantially at the plane of said face portion and including a downwardly directed hook-like channel, bracket means at spaced points concealed to the rear of said panels for supporting said panels in spaced relation to the wall and floor, to provide an open slot between the lower .edge of the panels and the floor for admission of air to the rear of the panels and an open slot along the top at the rear of said beaded edge for the escape of air, said bracket means having upwardly directed portions adapted to be engaged by said hook-like channel, said panels also being formed with inturned lower edges and said brackets being formed with downwardly directed portions over which said inturned lower edges are adapted to removably snap into en a ement after hooking the top edges of the panels in place.

HENRY J. WEBER. DONALD F. BENNETT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date D. 151,022 Weber et al. Sept. 14, 1948 877,987 Deschane et al. Feb. 4, 1908 1,224,315 Otte May 1, 1917 1,907,527 Erskine May 9, 1933 1,998,234 Grimes Apr. 16, 1935 2,048,153 Wollaeger July 21, 1936 2,122,168 Woolley June 28, 1938 2,132,400 Curren Oct. 11, 1938 2,144,466 Stikeleather Jan. 17, 1939 2,159,276 Lawless May 23, 1939 2,203,119 Wollaeger June 14, 1940 2,250,330 Eastwood et a1 July 22, 1941 2,355,629 Carrier Aug. 15, 1944 

